Modified cohesive zone model for soft adhesive layer considering rate dependence of intrinsic fracture energy

The cohesive zone model (CZM) has been extensively utilized to investigate the cohesive failure of the soft adhesive layer. This paper has proposed a modified CZM considering the rate dependence of the intrinsic fracture energy as well as the dissipative energy. The evolution of the intrinsic fracture energy with loading rate was established based on Chaudhury’s model, and the dissipative energy was described by the Maxwell model. After implemented into FEM, the proposed CZM was validated by the double cantilever beam (DCB) debonding test data and the effect of the rate-dependent intrinsic fracture energy on the cohesive failure of soft adhesive layer was further investigate. The limitation on the wide loading rate range was solved by introducing the rate-dependent intrinsic fracture energy. The phenomenon that the dissipative energy is affected by the evolution of the intrinsic fracture energy can be described. The experimental observable fibrillation zone of the soft adhesive layer can be taken as the criterion for whether considering the rate dependence of intrinsic fracture energy or not. The modified CZM is a promising approach for describing the cohesive failure of the soft adhesive layer.